Healthy Life

The Oswego County Health Department offers additional immunization clinics this summer to help families get ahead of the back-to-school rush for required vaccines.

Unless otherwise noted, all clinics take place at the Nick Sterio Public Health Center, 70 Bunner St., Oswego.

The back-to-school immunization clinic schedule is:

• Friday, Aug. 14 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at G. Ray Bodley High School, 6 William Gillard Drive, Fulton.
• Saturday, Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon
• Monday, Aug. 24 from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Monday, Aug. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Charles E. Riley Elementary School, 269 E. Eighth St., Oswego.
• Friday, Aug. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

Residents are reminded that the health department also offers general immunization clinics every Tuesday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Appointments are required for all clinics. To schedule, call the Oswego County Health Department’s Preventive Division at 315-349-3547 during office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Please have health insurance information ready when making an appointment. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

According to New York State Public Health Law, children must have age-appropriate immunizations to begin or continue attending day care, pre-K programs and school. The number of doses may vary based on the vaccine.

The required vaccine schedule is:

• Before starting kindergarten: diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTap or Tdap); measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); hepatitis B; polio; and varicella (chickenpox)
• Before entering sixth grade: DTap or Tdap vaccine booster
• before entering seventh grade: meningitis vaccine
• before entering 12th grade, meningitis vaccine booster

The health department also offers the Penbraya vaccine, which includes the MenACWY and meningitis B vaccine in one dose. The MenACWY vaccine protects against four types of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, and Y) that can cause meningitis and other serious illnesses. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will also be available at clinics to those aged 9 and older.

Parents should speak with their child’s primary health care provider or the health department about any questions they may have about which vaccines their child needs. OCHD can also provide parents with a free updated copy of their child’s immunization record upon request.

For more information, contact the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3547.